What Your Momma Never Told You About Childbirth | Marianne Ryan | TEDxWilmingtonSalon

Summary

The script discusses the joys and challenges of pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting common yet often overlooked postpartum issues like back pain, pelvic pain, and incontinence. It emphasizes the misconception that women's bodies will automatically return to their pre-pregnancy state after giving birth. The speaker, a women's health physical therapist, urges new mothers to seek professional help, such as physical therapy, to prevent injuries and address these problems. She shares personal experiences and insights, advocating for the importance of postpartum care and the creation of an exercise program to aid in recovery. The message stresses the need for awareness and proper support for new moms to ensure their long-term physical health.

Takeaways

• 🤰 Pregnancy and childbirth are often seen as amazing experiences, but they can also lead to physical problems that may become permanent.
• 👩‍👧 A special bond forms during pregnancy, and mothers often share advice and experiences, but sometimes they may not discuss the potential postpartum issues.
• 🤷‍♀️ Many women assume their bodies will naturally return to pre-pregnancy state after childbirth, which is not always the case.
• 💪 Postpartum bodies are less efficient and muscles are weaker, especially those supporting the pelvis and belly, which can lead to instability and injuries.
• 👩‍⚕️ A thorough physical therapy evaluation six weeks postpartum is recommended to understand the body's current state and safely reintroduce activities.
• 🚫 Despite common misconceptions, it's not normal to live with back pain, pelvic pain, or incontinence after childbirth; these issues should be addressed.
• 🤱 New mothers often prioritize their babies over their own health, which can lead to doing too much too soon and risking injury.
• 📊 Research indicates that a significant number of women continue to experience back pain and incontinence even a year after childbirth.
• 🛑 Ignoring physical discomforts postpartum can lead to chronic issues, including pelvic organ prolapse, which may require surgery.
• 📚 The speaker's personal journey led to the creation of an exercise program to help women recover from postpartum issues, highlighting the importance of seeking solutions.
• 🌟 The focus should be on providing new moms with the right information and options to control their health and make informed decisions about postpartum recovery.

Q & A

What is the narrator's initial feeling about pregnancy?

The narrator expresses excitement about the prospect of pregnancy, looking forward to holding her child in her arms.

What physical problems can arise from pregnancy and childbirth according to the script?

Physical problems mentioned include back pain, pelvic pain, a leaky bladder, and a flabby tummy.

What advice did the narrator's mother give her to handle morning sickness?

The narrator's mother suggested putting a plate of Saltines on her nightstand and eating them each time she got out of bed.

What was the purpose of the pregnancy girdle the narrator's mother bought for her?

The pregnancy girdle was meant to provide support and potentially prevent back pain, but the narrator never used it.

Why did the narrator's mother share her own pregnancy experiences?

The mother shared her experiences to ensure the narrator had a healthy pregnancy and was prepared to take care of her newborn.

Why did the narrator feel her mother did not warn her about post-childbirth issues?

The narrator speculates that her mother might have thought she would be one of the lucky ones without problems, or that there was nothing she could do about it, so she chose not to worry her.

What misconception does the narrator mention about women's bodies after childbirth?

The misconception is that women's bodies will magically snap back together after childbirth, which is not true or realistic.

What is the danger of resuming normal activities too soon after childbirth, according to the script?

The danger is that new mothers may injure themselves by putting too much strain on their bodies, which are still recovering and have weaker muscles.

What is the narrator's profession and how does it relate to the script's content?

The narrator is a women's health physical therapist, which gives her professional insight into the physical challenges women face during and after pregnancy.

What is the medical term for a condition where abdominal muscles spread after pregnancy?

The medical term is diastasis recti.

What advice does the narrator give to new mothers regarding their postpartum health?

The narrator advises new mothers not to do too much too soon, to seek physical therapy for a thorough evaluation six weeks postpartum, and to understand that common physical problems after childbirth are not normal and can be helped.

Why did the narrator create an exercise program for postpartum recovery?

The narrator created the program after her own struggles with chronic back pain and a leaky bladder for over two decades, and finding that existing treatments were not effective for her.

What does the narrator suggest is the current state of postpartum care in the United States?

The narrator suggests that most mothers in the United States are sent home without proper information and support about postpartum rehabilitation.

What is the narrator's goal for spreading awareness about postpartum physical therapy?

The narrator's goal is to make physical therapy a new norm after childbirth to prevent future chronic problems and to help women recover fully.